Electronics Weekly
“In recent times, there has been an increasing focus on developing connectors that are safe and reliable for single-use applications,” according to the company. “This effort has been motivated by the need to reduce the risk of cross-contamination and improve hygiene in medical environments. However, this trend has also led to challenges in ensuring such connections are as robust and functional as reusable ones.”
The disposable connectors “maintain current electrical performance with limited cycle life – up to 30 mating cycles and environmental tolerance.
Electronics Weekly has asked what changes have been made to make the connectors disposable, and how much less expensive they are?
The disposable connector come in the companies standard 12 (HG2) and 33 (HG4) contact patterns, identified by part numbers starting HG2D or HG4D for plugs, and HG2S or HG4S for sockets.
They only come in white, use the company’s standard low-end MR female contact and a custom male contact. Body plastic is bolycarbonate instead of polyetherimide.
Only ethylene oxide sterilisation is allowed – not steam autoclave or ‘Sterrad’, and dimensions differ slightly from the company’s standard HG2 and 4 connectors, and they are not compatible with the standard panel cut-outs.
Sealing can be to IPx4, providing additional potting or over-molding is applied.
Finger-proofing is to IEC60601 and flammability to UL94. Materials are RoHS III-compliant
Colour coding is available, and it is a break-away design if used with the companies unshielded HG2 and HG4 partners. All six standard keying options are available.
